Automatic Print Failure Detection and Correction

Description

[0001] Thermal printing has always held the downside of the fact that print head deterioration as well as poor thermal paper quality can result in poor print quality, which can lead to a number of downstream issues and problems. These problems include the failure to be able to read the intended printed information, which can often include bar codes that are read by scanners as part of the process. Failure of these bar codes or other information to print correctly and as a result be non-readable, disrupts the intended process flow and results in potentially significant disruptions, requiring intensive actions to resolve.

[0002] The situation is often made worse as many thermal printing operations are unmanned allowing for the problem to persist for an extended period of time before being identified and only after process interruptions have occurred. This magnifies the seriousness of the problem created and increases the required effort to correct.

[0003] The identified problems, associated with printing bar codes and other critical information, are not limited to thermal printers. That is, ink jet printers, impact printers, and laser printers also have similar issues, which are: unmanned printing stations can malfunction for an extended period of time before the problems are detected and corrected; such situations are costly to enterprises. US-A-5564841 discloses a printer system wherein the quality of an output image is determined from a scan of it and printing parameters are adjusted according to the scan.

[0004] In various embodiments, techniques for automatic print failure detection and correction are presented. According to an embodiment, a printer is presented. The printer includes a print head and a capture device. The capture device is situated within the printer for purposes of electronically capturing and recording the version of the image, which is obtained from the first side of the media. The capture device is also configured for verifying that a quality level of the version is within a predefined tolerance; the version is electronically captured and verified before the media is dispensed from the printer with the version of the image appearing on the first side of the media.

[0005] According to a first aspect there is provided a printer as set out in claim 1.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a processor-implemented method as set out in claim 10.

[0007] These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following specific description, given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1 D are diagrams of different imaged information occurring in different configurations on print media;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a printer, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of another printer, according to an example embodiment;

FIG.4 is a diagram of a method for detecting print job failures, according to an example embodiment;

[0008] FIGS. 1A-1 D are diagrams of different imaged information occurring in different configurations on print media. The FIGS. 1A-1 D are shown for purposes of illustration only. Different configurations are achievable with the teachings presented herein. Moreover, different print failure situations can be detected beyond that which is depicted in the example illustrations of the FIGS. 1A-1D.

[0009] The FIGS. 1A-1D provide a visual context that is useful in describing various aspects of the embodiments presented herein.

[0010] For example, the FIG. 1A depicts a bar code that is printed on a first side of media. It is noted that the bar code is information that is of importance to a consumer and enterprise. The bar code uniquely identifies a particular transaction of the consumer with the enterprise that occurred in some manner.

[0011] As used herein "image" refers to information, such as a bar code, unique image, unique pattern, a serial number, a pass code, etc. that a printer causes to be imaged to print media. The information uniquely identifies a particular transaction of a consumer with an enterprise. So, in this sense the bar code of the FIG. 1A is but one example of the type of unique identifying images that a printer can cause to be imaged to print media for purposes of the teachings presented herein and below.

[0012] The printer is enhanced, as discussed in greater detail below, to provide automatic failure detection and correction capabilities. The enhanced printer can be thermal-based, inkjet-based, laser-based, and/or impact-based.

[0013] The FIG. 1B is intended to show an opposite side of the print media depicted in the FIG. 1A, with the bar code imaged a second time as a second version or copy of the version produced in the FIG. 1B. Essentially, the bar code is copied or duplicated on the opposite side of the media. As will be discussed in greater detail herein and below, the second print of the bar code occurs via a second and dual print head associated with the enhanced printer. So, a second print head reprints the bar code on an opposite side of the media.

[0014] This bar code or unique image that is reprinted on the second side of the print media (can be referred to as "media" herein and below) represents something that the consumer needs and therefore, the quality of the print on the first side of the media (the FIG. 1A) needs to be of a sufficient level that the consumer can use it. For example, the bar code may represent a ticket to an event that a bar code reader is going to have to scan before the consumer can enter the event. It may also be that the bar code is a boarding pass to an airplane, boat, train, etc. where a bar code reader will need to scan. Accordingly, the quality of the image appearing on the first side of the print media (the FIG. 1A barcode) needs to be of a sufficient level that it can be automatically read by scanners and/or visually read by the consumer.

[0015] The FIG. 1C is intended to depict a solid bar code that shows no signs of image deterioration when it is printed to the first side of media. Conversely, the FIG. 1D is intended to depict a broken or poor quality bar code that is printed to the first side of media. The techniques described herein and below are intended to validate that the FIG. 1C scenario is acceptable and detect that the FIG. 1D is unacceptable before media is dispensed from a printer to a consumer.

[0016] It is also noted that, in some embodiments, the printer may be integrated into a kiosk that the consumer interacts with. The kiosk can be for a variety of purposes, such as purchasing goods, purchasing services, purchasing event tickets, and/or performing financial transactions.

[0017] It is within this context that various embodiments of the invention are now presented.

[0018] FIG 2. is a diagram of a printer 200, according to an example embodiment. The printer 200 can also take up other configurations and include additional components not shown in the FIG. 2. The printer 200 is configured to provide automatic print failure detection and print correction.

[0019] The printer 200 includes a first print head 210A and a capture device 220A. In some embodiments, the printer 200 also includes a second print head 210B, a second capture device 220B, and a repositioning mechanism 230. Each of these will now be discussed in turn.

[0020] The first print head 210A is configured to produce a version of an image 201 on a first side 202 of print media 203. Again, the image 201 is unique information that is being imaged on the first side 202 of the print media 203. This unique information can include such things as, but not limited to, a bar code, a serial number, a pass code, a unique picture, a unique design, and the like. The unique information identifies a transaction of a consumer with an enterprise.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the printer 200 is a thermal printer, an inject printer, a laser printer, or an impact printer. The printer 200 is modified in the manner discussed herein to provide novel print failure detections and in some instances automatic corrections.

[0022] The capture device 220A is situated and integrated within the printer 200 so as to electronically capture and record the version of the image 201 as the image 201 appears on the first side 202 of the media 203. That is, the capture device 220A is configured within and situated within the printer 200 to obtain an electronic version of the image 201 from the first side 202 of the media 203.

[0023] The capture device 220A is also configured to verify that a quality level of the version of the image 201 is within a predefined tolerance.

[0024] It is noted that the version of the image 201 is electronically captured and verified against the predefined tolerance before the media 203 is dispensed from the printer 200 with the version of the image 201 appearing on the first side 202 of the media 203. In other words, the media 203 is not re-fed back through the printer to encounter the capture device 220A by the consumer of the print media 203. The image 201 and verification of the image 201 by the capture device 220A occur without user/consumer direction.

[0025] In an embodiment, the capture device 220A is a barcode reader/scanner integrated into the printer 200.

[0026] In another scenario, the capture device 220A is a camera integrated into the printer 200.

[0027] According to the claimed invention, the printer 200 also includes a second print head 210B situated to interface with the media 203 on a second side 204 of the media 203. The second print head 210B is configured to produce another copy 205 of the image 201 on the second side 204 of the media 203.

[0028] Depending on parameters associated with the print job that the printer 200 is processing to produce the image 201, (1) the printer 200 can be configured to automatically print the image 201 on the first side 202 of the media 203 using the first print head 210A and print the copy 205 on the second side 204 of the media 203; or as claimed (2) the printer 200 may just print the copy 205 on the second side 204 of the media 203 when verification of image 201 fails to be within the predefined tolerance value.

[0029] So, in one case, the printer 200 may include a repositioning mechanism 230 configured to reposition the capture device 220A and/or reposition the media 203 within the printer to allow the capture device 220A to capture and record the copy 205 of the image 201, which is obtained from the second and opposite side 204 of the media 203. The capture device 220A also configured to verify that a second quality level for the copy 205 is within the predefined tolerance value or range of values. Thus, the copy 205 can be verified for quality as well by either flipping the media 203 within the printer 200 via the repositioning mechanism 230 to expose the copy 205 to the capture device 220A or by moving the capture device 220A within the printer via the repositioning mechanism 230 to read/scan the copy 205 from the second side 204.

[0030] Another configuration of the printer 200 can occur as well as an alternative to the last embodiment discussed. For example, the printer 200 can include a second capture device 220B that is situated on the second side 204 of the media 203 and the media 203 passes through the printer 200. The second capture device 220B then captures and records the copy 205 and compares a second quality level for the copy 205 against the predefined threshold value or range of values.

[0031] According to the claimed invention, the second print head 210B is only activated when the first capture device 220A fails to verify the image 201 on the first side 202 of the media.

[0032] In other cases, the second print head 210B is activated regardless of the verification, such that the media 203 will always include the image 201 and the copy 205 on both the first side 202 and the second side 204.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the capture device 220A is configured to communicate results associated with verifying the quality level over a network connection to a predefined resource. In some cases, the results identify image attributes captured from the image 201 as the image 201 appears on the first side 202 of the media.

[0034] In an embodiment, the predefined resource is an email account of an administrator, a phone having a phone number of the administrator to which a text message is sent, a log database, and/or a website monitored by the administrator.

[0035] It is noted that the quality level can be any value or set of values configured within and accessible to the capture device 220A. These values can identify and/or provide a value for such things as print density, element dropouts, white areas, coloring, patterns, ability to read a provided barcode, broken lines, unbroken lines, and the like. The quality level is computed based on inspection of image attributes for the image 201 as it appears on the first side 202 of the media 203. The predefined tolerance can be a single value, a range of values, or a set of values that is compared to values obtained from the image 201, which represent the quality level, and a determination is made as to whether the image 201 is acceptable or unacceptable. So, comparing the captured image 201 from the first side 202 of the media 203 against the predefined tolerance is configured into the processing of the capture device 220A by extracting values for attributes of the image 201 and comparing those values against the predefined threshold.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram of another printer 300, according to an example embodiment. The printer 300 can also take up other configurations and include additional components not shown in the FIG. 3. The printer 300 is configured to provide automatic print failure detection and print correction. In some cases, the printer 300 is an enhanced version or different perspective of the printer 200 discussed above with reference to the FIG. 2.

[0037] The printer 300 includes a first print head 301, a second print head 302, a scanner 303, and an image validation processor 304. In some cases, the printer 300 also includes a media repositioning mechanism 305. Each of these and their interactions with one another will now be discussed in turn.

[0038] The first print head 301 is configured to interface with a first side 310 of print media 311 as that print media 311 passes through the printer 300. The first print head 301 is configured to produce a first version of an image 312 on the first side 310 of the media 311 as the media 311 passes through the printer 300.

[0039] The second print head 302 is configured to interface with a second side 313 of the print media 311 as the print media 311 passes through the printer 300. The second print head 302 is configure to produce a second version of the image 314 on the second side 313 of the media 311 as the media 311 passes through the printer 300.

[0040] The scanner 303 is configured to attempt to read the first version of the image 312 and pass results of the attempted read to the image validation processor 304.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the scanner 303 is a bar code reader. In another case, the scanner 303 is a digital camera having processing capabilities to also read bar codes and other aspects of digital images.

[0042] The image validation processor 304 is configured to compare the results with a threshold value to determine whether the first print head 301 has failed or is in a condition in which failure of the first print head 301 is probable on future prints to the media 311.

[0043] The threshold value can be a single value, a set of values that map for comparison purposes to different image attribute values gleaned from the first version of the image 312 by the scanner 303, and/or a range of values. Examples of the types of attributes and values were presented above with reference to the printer 200 of the FIG. 2.

[0044] In an embodiment, the image validation processor 304 is configured to report any failed comparison to a predefined resource over a network connection, such as over an Internet connection. This facilitates proactive maintenance of the printer 300 and ensures that the printer 300 is operational more frequently. It is noted that should the first print head 301 fail or start to fail, the second version of the image 314 is still available to a consumer on the second side 313 of the media 311. So, the printer 300 remains operational while a service call goes out to fix the first print head 301 and that service call can be automatically generated by the image validation processor 304.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the printer 300 also includes a media repositioning mechanism 305. The media repositioning mechanism 305 is configured to reposition the second side 313 of the media 311 so that the second side 313 is exposed to the scanner 303 for the second version of the image 314 to be validated by the image validation processor 304 when the results do not meet the threshold value. In other words, the repositioning mechanism 305 moves the second side 313 of the media 311 having the second version of the image 314 to the scanner 303 to capture an electronic copy of that second version of the image 314 and supplies that to the image validation processor 304 for validation when the first version of the image 312 is defective. This provides two checks of the image to make sure at least one of the print heads 301 or 302 is functioning properly for a consumer.

[0046] In some cases, the printer 300 is: a dual-sided thermal printer, a dual-sided laser printer, a dual-sided inkjet printer, or a dual-sided impact printer.

[0047] The printer 300 may also be part of or integrated into a standalone consumer kiosk.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a method 400 for detecting print job failures, according to an example embodiment. The method 400 (hereinafter referred to as "print service") is implemented in and programmed within a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium and is executed by one or more processors embedded within a printer. The printers 200 and 300 of the FIGS. 2 and 3 are capable of processing the print service.

[0049] At 410, the print service instructs a print head of a printer to produce a first version of an image on a first side of media passing through the printer in accordance with a print job. The image is some uniquely identifying information that uniquely identifies a transaction of a consumer with an enterprise, such as a bar code, a unique pattern, a pass code, and the like.

[0050] At 420, the print service directs a scanner that is integrated within the printer to electronically capture the first version of the image as the image appears on the first side of the media. So, the scanner acquires an electronic version of the image from the media after the image is produced on the media.

[0051] At 430, the print service acquires image attributes from the electronically captured version of the image. Examples of the types of image attributes and values were provided above with reference to the FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0052] At 440, the print service compares the image attributes against threshold values to determine whether the first version of the image is of an acceptable quality. Again, what is "acceptable" can be defined via threshold values that are compared against the image attributes acquired from the image as it appears on the media. This was discussed at length above with reference to the FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0053] According to the claimed invention, at 450, the print service activates a second print head to produce a second version of the image on a second side of the media when the comparison determines that the first version is of an unacceptable quality. So, the image is reproduced on the opposite side of the media when the original produced image on the first side fails to meet a predefined quality level.

[0054] In another situation, at 460, the print service sends a notification message over a network connection to a predefined resource when the first version is of an unacceptable quality or is within a predefined range where the unacceptable quality is probable or subsequent print jobs passing through the printer. In other words, when image attribute values are approaching a threshold and appear within a predefined range, the print service can decide that unacceptable quality is probable with future print jobs and can remotely request service to replace the first print head in advance of its failure.

[0055] The above description is illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of embodiments should therefore be determined with reference to the appended claims.

[0056] In the foregoing description of the embodiments, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. Various modifications may be made to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A printer (200 or 300) comprising:

a first print head (210A or 301) configured to produce a version of an image (201 or 312) on a first side (202 or 310) of media (203 or 311); and

a capture device (220A or 303) situated within the printer (200 or 300) to electronically capture and record the version of the image (201 or 312) obtained from the first side (202 or 310) of the media (203 or 311) and configured to verify that a quality level of the version is within a predefined tolerance, the version being electronically captured and verified before the media (203 or 311) is dispensed from the printer (200 or 300) with the version of the image (201 or 312) on the first side (202 or 310) of the media (203 or 311);

characterised by a second print head (210B or 302) configured to produce another copy of the image (205 or 314) on a second and opposite side (204 or 313) of the media (203 or 311); and

the second print head (210B or 302) being configured to be activated when the capture device (220A or 303) fails to verify the quality level to be within the predefined tolerance; and arrangements such that the second print head is activated to produce a second version of an image on a second side of a media when a comparison determines that a first version is of unacceptable quality.

2. The printer of claim 1, wherein the printer (200 or 300) is one of: a thermal printer, an inkjet printer, a laser printer, and an impact printer.

3. The printer of claim 1 or 2, wherein the capture device (220A or 303) is a barcode reader integrated into the printer (200 or 300).

4. The printer of claim 1 or 2, wherein the capture device (220A or 303) is a camera integrated into the printer (200 or 300).

5. The printer of claim 1, further comprising a repositioning mechanism (230 or 305) configured to reposition the capture device (220A or 303) and/or to reposition the media (203 or 311) within the printer (200 or 300) to allow the capture device (220A or 303) to capture and record the copy of the image (205 or 314) obtained from the second and opposite side (204 or 313) of the media (203 or 311), the capture device (220A or 303) being configured to verify that a second quality level for the copy (205 or 314) is within the predefined tolerance.

6. The printer of claim 1, further comprising: a second capture device (220B) configured to capture and record the copy (205 or 314) obtained from the second and opposite side (204 or 313) of the media (203 or 311), the second capture device (220B) being configured to verify that a second quality level for the copy (205 or 314) is within the predefined tolerance.

7. The printer of any preceding claim, wherein the capture device (220A or 303) is configured to communicate results associated with verifying the quality level over a network connection to a predefined resource.

8. The printer of claim 7, wherein the predefined resource is at least one of:

an email account of an administrator, a text message to a predefined phone number of the administrator, a log database, and a website monitored by the administrator.

9. The printer of claim 7 or 8, wherein the results identify image attributes captured from the image (201 or 312) as the image (201 or 312) appears on the first side (202 or 310) of the media (203 or 311).

10. A processor-implemented method programmed in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executed by a processor embedded in a printer (200 or 300), comprising:

instructing a print head (210A or 301) of a printer (200 or 300) to produce a first version of an image (201 or 312) on a first side (202 or 310) of media (203 or 311) passing through the printer (200 or 300) in accordance with a print job;

directing a scanner (220A or 303) integrated within the printer (200 or 300) to electronically capture the first version of the image (201 or 312) as the image appears on the first side (202 or 310) of the media (203 or 311);

acquiring image attributes from the electronically captured version of the image (201 or 312); and

comparing the image attributes against threshold values to determine whether the first version of the image (201 or 312) is of an acceptable quality;

characterised by activating a second print head (210B or 302) to produce a second version of the image (205 or 314) on a second side (204 or 313) of the media (203 or 311) when the comparison determines that the first version (201 or 312) is of an unacceptable quality.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising, sending a notification message over a network connection to a predefined resource when the first version (201 or 312) is of an unacceptable quality or is within a predefined range where the unacceptable quality is probable on subsequent print jobs passing through the printer (200 or 300).

Ansprüche

1. Drucker (200 oder 300) umfassend:

einen ersten Druckkopf (210A oder 301), der konfiguriert ist, um eine Version eines Bildes (201 oder 312) auf einer ersten Seite (202 oder 310) eines Mediums (203 oder 311) zu erzeugen; und

eine Erfassungseinrichtung (220A oder 303), die in dem Drucker (200 oder 300) angeordnet ist, um die Version des Bildes (201 oder 312) elektronisch zu erfassen und aufzuzeichnen, das von der ersten Seite (202 oder 310) des Mediums (203 oder 311) erhalten wurde, und konfiguriert ist, um zu verifizieren, dass ein Qualitätsniveau der Version innerhalb einer vorbestimmten Toleranz ist, wobei die Version elektronisch erfasst und verifiziert wird, bevor das Medium (203 oder 311) mit der Version des Bildes (201 oder 312) auf der ersten Seite (202 oder 310) des Mediums (203 oder 311) aus dem Drucker (200 oder 300) ausgegeben wird;

gekennzeichnet durch einen zweiten Druckkopf (210B oder 302), der konfiguriert ist, um eine weitere Kopie des Bildes (205 oder 314) auf einer zweiten und entgegengesetzten Seite (204 oder 313) des Mediums (203 oder 311) zu erzeugen; und der zweite Druckkopf (210B oder 302) ist konfiguriert, um aktiviert zu sein, wenn die Erfassungseinrichtung (220A oder 303) aussetzt zu verifizieren, dass das Qualitätsniveau innerhalb der vordefinierten Toleranz ist; und

Anordnungen derart, dass der zweite Druckkopf aktiviert wird, um eine zweite Version eines Bildes auf einer zweiten Seite eines Mediums zu erzeugen, wenn ein Vergleich bestimmt, dass eine erste Version von nicht annehmbarer Qualität ist.

2. Drucker gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der Drucker (200 oder 300) eines ist von: einem Thermodrucker, einem Tintenstrahldrucker, einem Laserdrucker und einem Aufschlagdrucker.

3. Drucker gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Erfassungseinrichtung (220A oder 303) ein Strichcode-Leser ist, der in den Drucker (200 oder 300) integriert ist.

4. Drucker gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Erfassungseinrichtung (220A oder 303) eine Kamera ist, die in den Drucker (200 oder 300) integriert ist.

5. Drucker gemäß Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend einen Repositionierungsmechanismus (230 oder 305), der konfiguriert ist, um die Erfassungseinrichtung (220A oder 303) zu repositionieren und/oder das Medium (203 oder 311) in dem Drucker (200 oder 300) zu repositionieren, um der Erfassungseinrichtung (220A oder 303) zu erlauben, die Kopie des Bildes (205 oder 314) zu erfassen und aufzuzeichnen, das von der zweiten und entgegengesetzten Seite (204 oder 313) des Mediums (203 oder 311) erhalten wurde, wobei die Erfassungseinrichtung (220A oder 303) konfiguriert ist zu verifizieren, dass ein zweites Qualitätsniveau für die Kopie (205 oder 314) innerhalb der vordefinierten Toleranz ist.

6. Drucker gemäß Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend: eine zweite Erfassungseinrichtung (220B), die konfiguriert ist, um die Kopie (205 oder 314) zu erfassen und aufzuzeichnen, die von der zweiten und entgegengesetzten Seite (204 oder 313) des Mediums (203 oder 311) erhalten wurde, wobei die zweite Erfassungseinrichtung (220B) konfiguriert ist zu verifizieren, dass ein zweites Qualitätsniveau für die Kopie (205 oder 314) innerhalb der vordefinierten Toleranz ist.

7. Drucker gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Erfassungseinrichtung (220A oder 303) konfiguriert ist, Ergebnisse, die mit dem Verifizieren des Qualitätsniveaus assoziiert sind, über eine Netzwerkverbindung zu einer vordefinierten Ressource zu kommunizieren.

8. Drucker gemäß Anspruch 7, wobei die vordefinierte Ressource mindestens eines ist von: einem E-Mail-Account eines Administrators, einer Textmitteilung an eine vordefinierte Telefonnummer des Administrators, einer Log-Datenbank und einer Webseite, die von dem Administrator überwacht wird.

9. Drucker gemäß Anspruch 7 oder 8, wobei die Ergebnisse Bildattribute identifizieren, die von dem Bild (201 oder 312) erfasst werden, wenn das Bild (201 oder 312) auf der ersten Seite (202 oder 310) des Mediums (203 oder 311) erscheint.

10. Prozessor-implementiertes Verfahren, programmiert in einem nicht-flüchtigen, Computer-lesbaren Medium und ausgeführt durch einen Prozessor, der in einen Drucker (200 oder 300) eingebettet ist, umfassend:

Befehlen eines Druckkopfs (210A oder 301) eines Druckers (200 oder 300), um eine erste Version eines Bildes (201 oder 312) auf einer ersten Seite (202 oder 310) eines Mediums (203 oder 311) zu erzeugen, das gemäß einem Druckauftrag durch den Drucker (200 oder 300) durchtritt;

Ausrichten eines Scanners (220A oder 303), der in den Drucker (200 oder 300) integriert ist, um die erste Version des Bildes (201 oder 312) elektronisch zu erfassen, wenn das Bild auf der ersten Seite (202 oder 310) des Mediums (203 oder 311) erscheint;

Akquirieren von Bildattributen von der elektronisch erfassten Version des Bildes (201 oder 312); und

Vergleichen der Bildattribute gegenüber Schwellwerten, um zu bestimmen, ob die erste Version des Bildes (201 oder 312) von einer annehmbaren Qualität ist;

gekennzeichnet durch ein Aktivieren eines zweiten Druckkopfes (210B oder 302), um eine zweite Version des Bildes (205 oder 314) auf einer zweiten Seite (204 oder 313) des Mediums (203 oder 311) zu erzeugen, wenn der Vergleich bestimmt, dass die erste Version (201 oder 312) von einer unannehmbaren Qualität ist.

11. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 10, ferner umfassend ein Senden einer Nachrichtenmitteilung über eine Netzwerkverbindung zu einer vordefinierten Ressource, wenn die erste Version (201 oder 312) von einer unannehmbaren Qualität ist oder in einem vordefinierten Bereich ist, wo die unannehmbare Qualität bei darauffolgenden Druckaufträgen, welche durch den Drucker (200 oder 300) durchtreten, wahrscheinlich ist.

Revendications

1. Imprimante (200 ou 300) comprenant :

une première tête (210A ou 301) d'impression configurée pour produire une version d'une image (201 ou 312) sur une première face (202 ou 310) de supports (203 ou 311) et

un dispositif (220A ou 303) d'acquisition, situé dans l'imprimante (200 ou 300), pour acquérir électroniquement et enregistrer la version de l'image (201 ou 312) obtenue de la première face (202 ou 310) des supports (203 ou 311) et configuré pour vérifier qu'un niveau de qualité de la version est dans une tolérance définie à l'avance, la version étant acquise électroniquement et vérifiée avant que les supports (203 ou 311) soient distribués de l'imprimante (200 ou 300) avec la version de l'image (201 ou 312) sur la première face (202 ou 310) des supports (203 ou 311) ;

caractérisée par une deuxième tête (210B ou 302) d'impression, configurée pour produire une autre copie de l'image (205 ou 314) sur une deuxième face (204 ou 313) opposée des supports (203 ou 311) ; et

la deuxième tête (210B ou 302) d'impression étant configurée pour être activée, lorsque le dispositif (220A ou 303) d'acquisition est défaillant à vérifier que le niveau de qualité est dans la tolérance définie à l'avance.

2. Imprimante suivant la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'imprimante (200 ou 300) est l'une d'une imprimante thermique, d'une imprimante à jet d'encre, d'une imprimante laser et d'une imprimante à impact.

3. Imprimante suivant la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle le dispositif (220A ou 303) d'acquisition est un lecteur de code barre intégré à l'imprimante (200 ou 300).

4. Imprimante suivant la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle le dispositif (220A ou 303) d'acquisition est une caméra intégrée à l'imprimante (200 ou 300).

5. Imprimante suivant la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un mécanisme (230 ou 305) de repositionnement, configuré pour repositionner le dispositif (220A ou 303) d'acquisition et/ou pour repositionner les supports (203 ou 311) dans l'imprimante (200 ou 300), pour permettre au dispositif (220A ou 303) d'acquisition d'acquérir et d'enregistrer la copie de l'image (205 ou 314) obtenue à partir de la deuxième face (204 ou 313) opposée des supports (203 ou 311), le dispositif (220A ou 303) d'acquisition étant configuré pour vérifier qu'un deuxième niveau de qualité de la copie (205 ou 314) est dans la tolérance définie à l'avance.

6. Imprimante suivant la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un deuxième dispositif (220B) d'acquisition, configuré pour acquérir et enregistrer la copie (205 ou 314) obtenue à partir de la deuxième face (204 ou 313) opposée des supports (203 ou 311), le deuxième dispositif (220B) d'acquisition étant configuré pour vérifier qu'un deuxième niveau de qualité de la copie (205 ou 314) est dans la tolérance définie à l'avance.

7. Imprimante suivant l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le dispositif (220A ou 303) d'acquisition est configuré pour communiquer des résultats, associés à la vérification du niveau de qualité, à une ressource définie à l'avance par une connexion de réseau.

8. Imprimante suivant la revendication 7, dans laquelle la ressource définie à l'avance est au moins l'un d'un compte email d'un administrateur, d'un message textuel à un numéro de téléphone défini à l'avance de l'administrateur, d'une base de données enregistrée et d'un site web contrôlé par l'administrateur.

9. Imprimante suivant la revendication 7 ou 8, dans laquelle les résultats identifient des attributs d'image, acquis à partir de l'image (201 ou 312), alors que l'image (201 ou 312) apparaît sur la première face (202 ou 310) des supports (203 ou 311).

10. Procédé mis en oeuvre par processeur, programmé dans un support non transitoire, pouvant être lu par ordinateur et exécuté par un processeur incorporé dans une imprimante (200 ou 300), dans lequel :

on donne instruction à une tête (210A ou 301) d'impression d'une imprimante (200 ou 300) de produire une première version d'une image (201 ou 312) sur une première face (202 ou 310) de supports (203 ou 311) passant dans l'imprimante (200 ou 300), suivant un premier travail d'impression ;

on dirige un lecteur (220A ou 303) intégré dans l'imprimante (200 ou 300) pour acquérir électroniquement la première version de l'image (201 ou 312) alors que l'image apparaît sur la première face (202 ou 310) des supports (203 ou 311) ;

on acquiert des attributs d'image à partir de la version acquise électroniquement de l'image (201 ou 312) ; et

on compare les attributs d'image à des valeurs de seuil, pour déterminer si la première version de l'image (201 ou 312) est d'une qualité acceptable ;

caractérisé en ce que l'on active une deuxième tête (210B ou 302) d'impression pour produire une deuxième version de l'image (205 ou 314) sur une deuxième face (204 ou 313) des supports (203 ou 311), lorsque la comparaison détermine que la première version (201 ou 312) est d'une qualité inacceptable.

11. Procédé suivant la revendication 10, dans lequel en outre, on envoie, par une connexion de réseau, un message de notification à une ressource définie à l'avance lorsque la première version (201 ou 312) est d'une qualité inacceptable ou est dans une plage définie à l'avance où la qualité inacceptable est probable sur des travaux d'impression subséquents passant dans l'imprimante (200 ou 300).

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